“Why have you made me your target?…Why do you hide your face?…Why should I struggle in vain?…Why does the Almighty not set times for judgment?…Why then did you bring me out of the womb?”
Job 7:20, 13:24, 9:29, 24:1, 10:18
Didn’t Job get “hammered?” His monumental suffering is unparalleled in history. He is essentially a godly man who loses everything (except his faith). Job must pick up the pieces after “catastrophic ” sudden pain and total loss.
Job is being tested with the ultimate horrors. Will he “curse God and die” as his wife suggests? Will he cave in to the final four (his friends) and agree to their twisted theology? (You have to read chapters 38-39 to find out).
The Book of Job has been regarded as inaccessible and archaic by many. Unfortunately many believe this assessment and look elsewhere for comfort. I would agree that Job is a challenging book, but so is Macbeth or Plato. (I guess you should find an easier translation).
Job is less an explanation and more a revelation of suffering. “Why” questions go unanswered. “Who” questions matter. I suppose this seems unfair. It certainly seems so, but straight answers in a fallen world won’t get any mileage at all.
One more thing. The Book of Job is about “twisted” theology. Job’s friends “toe-the-party-line” of theology that is logical. But don’t be mislead by their pronouncements, for they seem reasonable but they are flawed. It is a doctrine without love.
“If I have the gift of prophecy and can fathom all mysteries and all knowledge, and if I have a faith that can move mountains, but do not have love, I am nothing.”
1 Cor. 13:2
You can’t split theology from love and get away with it. When you read “Job’s friends” you must remember that. These are lessons it takes a long time to learn.
The broken believer, hobbled by chronic illness, has much to learn from Job. He is like “the poster child” for those afflicted. My mental illness is an issue (of course) but God is fully in control. He brings beauty out of the ashes.
“To bestow on them a crown of beauty
instead of ashes,
the oil of joy
instead of mourning,
and a garment of praise
instead of a spirit of despair.
They will be called oaks of righteousness,
a planting of the Lord
for the display of his splendor.”
Isaiah 61:3, NIV
Broken Believers 
Dear Nancy!
My heart and prayers are with you.I would really like to find the right words to help you, but I am speechless, but I ask the Lord to hold you so dearly next to Him, so that you can feel the warmth of His Love and Presence. May He heal your great broken heart and give you His Peace!
May the Lord strenghten you and may He anwers the desires abd prayers of your suffering heart.
Affectionnally your sister in Christ-Jesus.
Tina🌻
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Dear Nancy, I don’t have any answers for you but want to extend my deepest sympathy for your loss and for the suffering of your family. May God keep you and send the help and answers you need to pick up the pieces and carry on.
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i am a mother who just lost her second child to a mental disorder and drug and alcohol addiction. My son became afflicted with schizophrenic during puberty and took his own life when he was 21 years old in 1998 and my daughter passed away unexpectedly 11 days ago on september 12, 2015 she was the oung age of 39, suffering from affliction of bipolar and drug and alcohol addiction. I have been a christian and believer and raised them in the church and they acclaimed their belief and said prayers every day and were still unable to overcome the destruction of their afflictions on a consistent basis and they both lost the battle here on earth.
I would like to learn what the bible says and christian educator and counselor say about why they died and words of comfort that why my afflicted christian children could not get out of their physical diseased bodies and walk in this world here on earth. Also want to know what God says of what my children are doing now, I want to believe they are in heaven and forgiven and at HIS right side sleeping in peace with the angels.
Please help me understand someone.
Nancy
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Nancy. I know God has a plan. Your response brought me to tears because God allowed my heart to be filled with your immense faith you have in him mixed with great sorrow and suffering that you are going through. I prayed to him immediately to please tell me why. I begged him. If he reveals anything to me i will contact you. He has shown me so much of his Grace over the last 2 years. I’m in constant awe of his Love for for us. What I do know is that the suffering I go through always leads to a deeper Love and closeness to him. I too would like to understand why that is on a deeper level. God Bless for now. You and your children are in my prayers!
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